Lindsay
Schopfer

 By Lindsay Schopfer 

Keltin was up before the sun. Cold seeped through his bedroll and his hunting coat, and he rose quickly to finish dressing. As he began to warm he dismantled his small tent and stowed it with the rest of his gear. He shouldered his pack and moved silently between the tents in the predawn light.

The Loopi were awake, sitting together on their rush mats in their now-familiar morning ritual of prayer and meditation. Keltin gave them a respectful distance as he began to make his way to the gypsy wagon circle, but stopped and turned at the sound of Grel’zi’tael’s soft voice calling to him.

“Good morning Keltin,” the Sky Talker said, as the other Loopi stirred themselves from their meditations. “You’re up very early.”

Keltin drew closer to the circled group, trying to keep his voice down for the sake of the sleeping hunters around them. “I couldn’t sleep anymore. I just hope either Evik or Mama Bellin are up. I wanted to talk with them about provisions for the trip north.”

The Sky Talker nodded. “That is prudent, but I would not worry. Mama Bellin has that title for a reason, and she has likely been up an hour already preparing food for your expedition.”

Keltin smiled. “You’re probably right. I suppose I’ll just wander around the camp a bit to clear my head.”

“I understand, but you are welcome to join in our prayers this morning, if you would like.”

Keltin hesitated. He almost turned down the Loopi out of a habit of preferring solitude, but the eyes of the Sky Talker were warm and kind. A memory of his Grandfather Milner came to Keltin, and he suddenly felt a need for some companionship.

“All right.”

Keltin laid his pack on the ground and went to the space in the circle closest to him. Bor’ve’tai and Shar’le’vah both moved aside to give him room to kneel between them. They all held hands and Keltin felt like a child as Bor’ve’tai and Shar’le’vah’s long fingers wrapped around his much smaller hands.

“We’ll begin again,” said Grel’zi’tael. “Val’ta’lir, will you start?”

The dark-furred Loopi nodded and bowed his head. “Great God of the Heavens, I give thanks for the reinforcements from Carvalen. Give me strength to aid them as we begin securing the western boundary, and give Shar’le’vah strength as she labors on the eastern boundary. May we all return to this circle when all is done.”

Val’ta’lir fell silent and Bor’ve’tai began. “God of the World, I give thanks for the teachings of Grel’zi’tael, his kindness and patience. Help me to remember his lessons and wisdom in the coming days, that I may protect my companions to the fullness of my power. Keep each of us safe until we return to this circle.”